A Commitment To Holiness

Nehemiah 10

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And the rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the porters, the singers, the Nethinims, and all they that had separated themselves from the people of the lands unto the law of God, their wives, their sons, and their daughters, every one having knowledge, and having understanding; 29 They clave to their brethren, their nobles, and entered into a curse, and into an oath, to walk in God’s law, which was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the LORD our Lord, and his judgments and his statutes;

Nehemiah 10:28-29

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All I can say to this is "Wow!" That is a commitment to holiness, when a person enters into a curse and an oath to walk in God's law. Can you imagine being so serious about obeying God's commandments that you would call down judgment upon yourself if you violated the laws of God? But then again, shouldn't we be that serious also?

Let's think about what had gone on to bring all this about. Since Israel had been led out of Egypt, they had been rebelling against God. This led to 40 years of wandering in the desert. During the time of the judges they were constantly oppressed by their neighbors because of their rebellion. During the time of the kings, neighbors oppressed, wars were lost, kings were assassinated, etc. Finally, they were led into captivity. But even in captivity, they apparently did not follow God's law. Nehemiah had to exclude many from service because of this. However, now it seems that they were getting the idea. So, they entered into a vow with a curse.

Shouldn't holiness and obedience to God's laws be so important to us. Whether we realize it or not, that is exactly what we agree to at salvation. I wouldn't necessarily call it a curse, but by being God's born again children, we become the recipients of his chastisement. Why? Because obedience is that important. That being said, I don't know of anyone who asks for God's chastisement.

In the case of Nehemiah and the Jews of his day, they actually asked for it. THEY WERE SERIOUS about their commitment to God. This was not a flippant commitment at a revival service or church camp. Once this curse and vow were made, there was no taking it back. They were bound to this vow for the rest of their lives.

We should be that committed as well. We should be so serious about obedience to God's law that we would call down God's chastisement on ourselves if we violate his law. We should desire for God to get us back in line with His word so that our relationship with Him is pure and uninhibited by our sins. Often though, we look for loopholes in God's law. We look to see how we can violate it without consequence. We try to make exceptions for our favorite sins, or to avoid doing what he calls us to do. We do this while knowing that there are no loopholes. Still, we try.

I'm so glad that God loves us unconditionally. If it was conditional, I would have exhausted his love long ago. He would have wrote me off as a lost cause, and rightfully so. However, he is not like me. When he saved me from my sins, he decided to love me regardless of what I had done, was doing, or would do in the future. We see that example in how he loved Israel, no matter how many times they rebelled against him.

Father, help me to love you so much that I would do anything to keep from violating your holiness and your law. When I sin, for there are none who do not sin, chastise me according to your word. Chastise me like a son. Help me to remember through this that you do it because you love me. Help me to remember through this to turn away from the sin for which I am chastised.